Author Archive | Editor

Is Muqtada al-Sadr Losing Influence in Iraq?

By Dr Renad Mansour, for the Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. After Latest Turn, is Muqtada al-Sadr Losing Influence in Iraq? The populist cleric has repositioned himself in Iraqi politics multiple times, but his recent […]

Who are Sadr's Blue Hats, and what side are they on?

By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Who are Sadr's Blue Hats in Iraq and what side are they on? In the face of harsh criticism from religious authorities and the Iraqi public, cleric Muqtada […]

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Zain Iraq Profits Up 28%

By John Lee. Mobile telecommunications company Zain has reported that its Iraqi revenue was stable at USD 1.1 billion last year, despite a competitive landscape and economic and political issues in Zain stronghold regions. Announcing its results for 2019, the company said: "[Zain Iraq] EBITDA grew strongly by 10% Y-o-Y amounting to USD 465 million […]

KRG discusses Implementation of new Reform Law

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss the implementation of the KRG’s ambitious Reform Law. The meeting of cabinet ministers was attended by the heads of the Financial Monitoring Diwan and Commission of Integrity in Kurdistan, as well as the President of Public Prosecutions. Prime Minister Barzani emphasised the […]

NATO to Expand Iraq Training Mission

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Wednesday (12 February 2020) that Allied ministers had reaffirmed their support to Iraq and agreed in principle to enhance NATOs training mission. In the first instance, this will consist of taking on some of the Global Coalition’s current training activities. Ministers also agreed to explore what more could […]

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Russia may Triple Investment in Iraqi Oil

By John Lee. Investment by Russian oil and gas companies in Iraq may increase three-fold, according to a report by Tass. It quotes Russian politician Yury Fedorov [Nikolay Vasilyevich Fyodorov] as telling the Iraqi Ambassador to Russia, Abdul-Rahman Al-Husseini, that the total investment in Iraq by companies such as Lukoil, Bashneft and Gazprom Neft has […]

Iraq "likely" to get New Waiver for Iran Gas Imports

By Bryant Harris for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq likely to continue importing Iranian natural gas under US waiver renewal Iraqi officials have indicated that the United States is likely to renew a key Iran sanctions waiver […]

Will New PM pass on Forming Govt?

By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Will Iraq's new PM pass on forming government? Iraq's newly appointed prime minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi has a difficult task ahead as he seeks to form a new government. He […]

More New Investment Opportunities in Iraq

By John Lee. The National Investment Commission (NIC) has announced the following investment opportunities: Mosul Sugar Factory, State Company for Food Products Mortar guns, State Company for Military Industries Technology Transfer for manufacturing small arms, State Company for Military Industries Technology Transfer for manufacturing propellant charge, State Company for Military Industries Technology Transfer for manufacturing […]

Outgoing Government silent on China Pact

By Omar Sattar for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  Iraq's outgoing government keeps mum on China pact Iraq's pro-government Shiite blocs are alleging an economic agreement signed between outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and China in September […]

Iran's $1.4bn Deal for Oilfields near Iraq Border

By John Lee. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has agreed a $1.4-billion deal to develop two oilfields in Khuzestan, near the border with Iraq. The National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) and Iran's MAPNA Group signed a ten-year contract within the IPC framework, to improve the recovery rate, increase production and exploitation of the […]

Oil Production Falls at Garraf Field

By John Lee. Production at the Garraf [Gharraf] oil field in southern Iraq has reportedly fallen to an average of around 93,000 barrels per day (bpd) in January. According to S&P Global Platts, officials from Japan Petroleum Exploration (JAPEX) said on Monday that the drop was due to delays in drilling works. It added that […]